6 Ways A DNS API Can Make Life Easier For Businesses

In the bad old days of the Internet, data and services were siloed. Users could only access the services they needed for their businesses through the interfaces they were given. This one-size-fits-all approach is very limiting and interfaces ended up either not doing quite what a business needed, or being so complex that there was a considerable burden in training costs and the time taken to build kludgy, non-scalable solutions to problems.

But, with the development of standards for access to data and services, it became possible for businesses to create their own solutions, based on their own needs, and access their data in the ways that were most convenient for them.

We’re going to take a look at how a Rest DNS API (Application Programming Interface) can make managing a company’s DNS a much more flexible and cost-effective experience.

Scripting

Most web services offer a web-based front-end for configuration and monitoring. However, for many uses, having to control a service through an interface designed for humans is horribly inefficient. With a standards-based API, businesses can have fine-grained control over their DNS hosting using whatever language their developers are most comfortable with. Solutions and strategies can be developed to meet the specific needs of that business.

Automation

There are many cases where DNS changes are best made automatically without the intervention of a human. For example, creating DNS records on-the-fly as virtualized resources are deployed to meet extra demand.

Rebranding

Often, a web hosting company or other enterprise user of DNS hosting needs to offer their clients access to DNS data and configuration using their own branding. The DNS API allows its users huge flexibility of design in their front-facing interfaces.

Integration

Taking advantage of an API allows users to integrate their DNS hosting with their already existing interfaces, whether they be customer facing or internal. Clients can create their own web interfaces, mobile apps, desktop applications and scripts, each of which can be as simple or complex as required to meet the needs of the business.

Security

Creating bespoke interfaces that allow limited access to configuration options is often far safer than allowing staff full access to the entire infrastructure. Along with rigorous key-based API access controls and flexible user verification, access levels can be finely controlled.

Access

Because, through the API, data is made available in standard forms like JSON and XML, it can be easily manipulated by standard tools and libraries, allowing for analysis, storage, monitoring, and control with reduced complexity and increased flexibility.

When companies are choosing a DNS hosting provider, comprehensive API access should be high on their list of need-to-have features.

About the Author: Evan Daniels is the technical writer for DNS Made Easy, a leading provider of DNS hosting. Follow DNS Made Easy on Twitter and Like them on Facebook,